Inter-Ministerial Delegation Concludes Working Sessions with Vinh Long and Dong Thap Provinces

(DTO) On August 3, an inter-ministerial delegation led by Deputy Minister of Home Affairs Truong Hai Long held a working session in Dong Thap Province with the People's Committees of Vinh Long and Dong Thap provinces. The meeting focused on the implementation of projects to establish new wards in the two provinces, alongside a field assessment regarding the proposed classification of specific wards as special-category administrative units.

The meeting was attended by leaders of departments under the Ministry of Home Affairs, the Ministry of Construction, the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, the Ministry of Finance, and the Government Office. Local officials included Tran Tri Quang, Chairman of the Vinh Long Provincial People's Committee; Pham Thanh Ngai, Chairman of the Dong Thap Provincial People's Committee; along with leaders of relevant departments, agencies, and localities.

According to the report, Vinh Long Province plans to establish 16 wards from communes. Dong Thap Province plans to establish 11 wards from communes and townships, namely Thuong Phuoc, Tram Chim, My Tho, Thap Muoi, Lap Vo, An Huu, Cai Be, Binh Phu, Chau Thanh, Vinh Kim, and Vinh Binh. In addition, Dong Thap has proposed the recognition of Cao Lanh, Sa Dec, and Dao Thanh as special-category wards.

Based on a comprehensive review of the dossiers and the results of on-site surveys, members of the delegation recommended that the two provinces continue refining administrative criteria related to population size, land area, budget balance, and public approval rates. They also suggested incorporating evaluations of existing shortcomings, their root causes, and actionable solutions to ensure that the dossiers are comprehensive and fully compliant with regulations.

Speaking at the meeting, Chairman of the Vinh Long Provincial People's Committee Tran Tri Quang and Chairman of the Dong Thap Provincial People's Committee Pham Thanh Ngai welcomed the delegation's recommendations and instructed relevant departments and agencies to promptly finalize the dossiers, ensuring their accuracy, scientific basis, and full compliance with appraisal requirements.

Concluding the working session, Deputy Minister of Home Affairs Truong Hai Long commended the proactive and serious efforts made by the two provinces in preparing the dossiers. He urged them to fully incorporate the delegation's recommendations and comprehensively review all statistical data, maps, planning documents, and technical criteria to ensure consistency and accuracy before submitting the dossiers to the relevant competent authorities.

The Deputy Minister also stressed the need for both provinces to continue investing in urban infrastructure, improving the quality of human resources, and developing specific roadmaps to meet urban classification criteria following the establishment of the new wards. These efforts, he said, would ensure that the upgrading of administrative units is aligned with sustainable urban development and improved state governance.

Regarding the dossiers proposing the recognition of special-category wards, the Deputy Minister noted that the proposed localities generally meet the prescribed standards and acknowledged their important role in the provinces' development. Once the dossiers are completed, the Ministry of Home Affairs will promptly submit them to the competent authorities for consideration in accordance with regulations.

To expedite the process, the delegation urged both provinces to finalize their respective documentation at the earliest opportunity, enabling the Ministry of Home Affairs to swiftly forward the proposals for higher-level statutory review.

By P. MAI
Translated by X.QUANG